Philipp Heinrich Erlebach
(1657-1714) is one of those composers who was forgotten by history.
Originally from East Frisia, he arrived at the court of Rudolstadt
in Thuringia at the age of 24 to serve as music director, remaining
there for the rest of his life: the lustre of the court faded and
the collection of over 2500 works by himself and others, amassed by
Erlebach during the course of his life, was destroyed by fire. Thus
this once significant composer 'from the Province' faded from
memory.

Only a few works by Erlebach
have survived, but these give an indication of what artistic
treasures have most likely been lost. With the present CD, the
Capricornus Consort Basel is making a first attempt to introduce a
representative cross-section of those works of Erlebach that are
still within grasp. They are strongly influenced by the French
style, as is particularly evident in the two grand Overtures which
bear the mark of Lully. As a contrast, the Ensemble performs two
secular arias sung by countertenor Franz Vitzthum and soprano
Miriam Feuersinger. In the concluding duet, the two voices attain
such a fantastic harmony that one can hardly distinguish precisely
which of them is singing.